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+ Conversation system provides good character depth; + Story does a good job of balancing comedy and drama

I've played some strange games in my day; some really weird ones. Now that I have played Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ceil, I can add it to that list, but as strange as it may be, that doesn't stop it from being rather good.

+ Good combat; + Interesting story; + Constant progression; + Diving is strange but fun; + Crafting is fun and rewarding

Not a very difficult game; The game doesn't allow level grinding; Some story elements may turn off players

That's more or less what this game is in a nutshell, but it's actually a really fun RPG. The graphics aren't terribly impressive but they're crisp and vibrant and they work really well for the game.

If you've played the first two games, you'll probably want to play this, but don't expect a praise-worthy game.

Cameos from characters of past games; unique character relationships; multiple endings

Overused dungeons; tasteless sexual content; typical JRPG plot; sluggish battles; high random encounter rate

Great: Impressive efforts with a few noticeable problems holding it back. Won't astound everyone, but is worth your time and cash.

Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel is the series' third entry and its first on the PS3. As expected, the game has received a complete visual overhaul, ditching the low-res 2D sprites for beautiful, new 3D characters.

If you are in the mood for a solid JRPG that is weird and different, Ar Tonelico Qoga is a good pickup. The story might be confusing, but it is also a pretty good tale that touches on your emotions.

In the end, Ar tonelico Qoga: Knell of Ar Ciel isn't a bad game, just a disappointing one. Gust has done much better work in the past, and for the last of a series that's hit cult status, it's a shame that they seem content with delivering a so-so adventure rather than the grand finale the series...

Ar Tonelico has been a series that featured beautiful character designs, an intricate battle system and stellar soundtrack that was truly unique for an RPG that made its entry on the PlayStation 2.

The Ar tonelico series is about as quirky as they come. These games have put a spin on the traditional JRPG unlike any other, with a unique party composition, innuendo-laden dialogue, and a direct approach to plot progression.